Tiger still a hero for McIlroy

Rory McIlroy reckons he must become a ruthless finisher before he can be compared to top cat Tiger Woods.

The Holywood teenager, 19, is the hottest ticket in golf after his breakthrough win in Dubai sent him soaring to 16th in the world.

But after nearly blowing a six-shot lead in the desert he believes he has a long way to go before he can take on golf’s ultimate Terminator.

Forced to drive from snowbound Heathrow to Manchester to catch the flight home to Belfast, McIlroy said: “There’s never been a better finisher in golf than Tiger. When you look at anyone coming down the back nine with a four or five stroke lead, you think it’s easy but it’s not.

Back scan for disappointed McIlroy

Rory McIlroy did not have a good day with the putterRory McIlroy's failure to hole putts and make his presence felt in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic was not the only painful reality facing the young Ulsterman as he headed home.

As Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez beat Lee Westwood with a par four at the third extra hole to claim his 16th European Tour title, it emerged that McIlroy will have a scan on his back on his return to Belfast.